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Silxtra
is the seventh of fourteen planets adherent to the star system
Vega, the brightest star of the sign of the zodiac Lyre. Science
appoints this star as being one of the A1-White types. Its distance
is 24,4 light-years from our own star, Sol.
Cast
in order of appearance
Luciana
the enlightened; high priestess.
Ignatia, called the fiery; female scientist.
Veleda; seer.
Gailan; president of the Council of Wise People.
Docilius the meek; husband of Ignatia.
Dylys; sun of Ignatia and Docilius.
Hanani the amiable; priestess.
Angelika, the angelic; daughter of Ignatia and Docilius.
Phila; inhabitant of the Hills of Concealed Powers.
Glauca the blue gleaming; eldest daughter of Phila.
Martellus the martial; adult sun of Phila.
Ibo the careful; official of Gailan; husband of Phila.
Phytius the sensible; head-engineer of Ignatia.
The multiform floating sound bowls produced their delicate sounds
in the energetic winds of the northern continent of planet Silxtra.
But Luciana the Enlightened, high priestess in the Temple of
the Emerald Winds, did not care to listen to these gorgeous
sounds. Restless, she walked up and down her private quarters.
She was losing her heart.
What
would happen if the plans of the fiery Ignatia and the group
of scientists she had collected around herself would become
reality? The messing around of these so-called renovators, who
sought to cage the primary energy currents and to employ them
for their own pleasures, caused her to shudder at the mere thought
at what could possibly go wrong.
In
order to substantiate her dreary suspicions, that day she had
consulted her friend the seer, Veleda. She had asked the oracle
what the future for Silxtra would bring if the plans of the
group of 'Modernists', as they called themselves, would go on
and worse, received the approval of the Council of Wise People
under the supervision of their leader, Gailan.
Luciana
suspected Gailan belonged in a subtle way to the 'modernists',
maybe undercover or through Dylys, Ignatia's son, who recently
became adult and was very much under Gailan's influence. Tomorrow
she would speak with Docilius, Ignatia's husband, although it
was not customary for her to take such initiatives as a high
priestess. As a rule it was in almost all cases the Spirits
who were in need that came to her for advice.
The
Spirits were beings that vibrated at a higher rate. Part human
and part Higher Self, they walked with minimal concerns for
their physical realities, and often needed protection.
Docilius
though, Luciana knew, was a very gentle man who did not let
himself get influenced very easily. Above all he was amiable
and pliable. Maybe he was capable of providing Ignatia with
different ideas. On the other hand though, that was not very
likely, but everything possible had to be tried to stop these
'modernists'. Nervously she laughed. "It would be laughable
if it was not so very serious." Because what the oracle
had said did not prophesy much good!
"Behold
the Pond of Oneness. The surface is quiet and the clear cloudless
skies mirror themselves and they know that all is well. But
here arrives a young woman at the shores. She starts to fling
flat stones across the surface. Clouds come together and far
away you can hear the thunder roaring in between the distant
hills. Every touch of a stone in the waters shapes an expanding
circle, and altogether all circles will merge and cause great
turmoil in the pond."
Luciana
could not keep down a shiver when she reconsidered the words
of the oracle. "Great turmoil in the pond!" That could
only mean that the future of the planet would not be a very
pleasant one! She sighed deeply and felt the vibrations of the
many magnificent colours that went through the temple at that
moment, like an electric current that flew through her energy
body. The oracle had said more, but that did not reach Luciana's
consciousness any more.
Luciana
normally would have listened to everything that was said to
her, for she was a very attentive listener. But now, because
of the fears overpowering her, she did not remember to the rest
of what Veleda had said.
"But
in the end the disturbance will fade away and eventually the
unity in the Pond of Oneness will return..." Veleda's last
words had not been capable to sound a chord within Luciana and
dissolved in the winds of forgetfulness.
The
talks with Docilius, who was summoned by Hanani, Luciana's confidante,
at first went by in a relaxed atmosphere. He, too, was worried
about the way his spouse had been influenced, and as well about
the role of Dylys in all this. Their son let himself be taken
in completely and he was not capable to withstand the temptations
of all that was envisioned to him. The 'modernists', as was
made clear to Luciana, were apparently convinced that the 'caged
energy currents' would mean a great improvement that would bring
many pleasures to all who would enjoy the satisfaction to be
in touch with this. That was also the reason that he and his
daughter, Angelika, felt at times rather lonely in their dwelling.
And more so when Ignatia and Dylys were elsewhere carrying out
their - what he called - alchemic practices.
"All
this is very difficult", sighed Docilius, "and observing
this I have to tell you something else."
Luciana
looked up: "And what may that be Docilius?"
"You
are familiar with Phila, the one who resides on the slopes of
the Hills of Concealed Powers?"
"Unquestionably
so, go on."
"I
explained to you that because of Ignatia's activities, I am
rather lonesome at times, and a few Cycles ago I came into contact
with Phila, who's got - as you know - a very gracious nature.
She commiserated with me a bit as it were. Angelika and I have
been there a number of times, and together with their children,
Glauca and Martellus, the four of us seem to have developed
a strikingly beautiful vibrating combination. We occupy ourselves
with vibrational poetry, and I must say that this resulted already
in the appearance of some of our work in the Gallery of Goodness.
Maybe you have heard of it?"
"No
Docilius. Those affairs are not our rule. But tell me, what
is the role of Ibo, Phila's husband, in all this?"
"Ibo
is chef de bureau of Gailan and is not interested at all in
poetry. He is involved only in the affairs of state and is not
often at home."
Luciana
thought for a few moments. "So it looks like there are
two factions in the building. The modernists at the one side
and the, let's say 'Hidden Powers' on the other side, is that
correct?"
Docilius
nodded. "Definitely so, that is just about it. We try,
in a subtle manner, to make as many Spirits as possible aware
that the idea of the energy concentrations, as is strived for
by the modernists, will prove to become a catastrophic route."
"A
very dangerous route, Docilius!"
"What
do you mean?"
"When
I say a very dangerous route, I mean a very, very hazardous
course, Docilius. Yesterday I have been to the oracle of Veleda
and what she told me does not give us room for many doubts.
The well being of the very planet, our Mother Silxtra, is at
stake Docilius! We must try and stop these modernists with all
that is in our power. This just cannot go on any further!"
Docilius
started as the sound bowls reverberated. It sounded like a sigh.
"You are telling me something, Luciana. I also think that
this is a disastrous undertaking, but what can I do, apart from
what I already do with Phila and the others?"
"Ignatia
is your spouse, Docilius. You are the only one who still has
any influence with her."
"That
remains to be seen. We hardly see each other these days, and
I also told you that nowadays Phila is much more of a listener
to my emotions than Ignatia ever has been."
Luciana
looked up and at that very moment a certain tension materialized
between them. "I trust you do not exchange energies with
her, Docilius!" She said it menacingly.
"That
is not any of your business, even for you, Luciana. I have got
my own spirit, I make my own decisions and nothing more than
where circumstances brought me will and ever will happen."
The
high priestess almost had to laugh. She sighed. Influence of
the temple was waning rapidly. This was something she already
knew for a long time of course, but this was a confirmation
of that once again.
"To
be sure, Docilius, forgive me. Because of the seriousness of
the case I forgot myself."
"All
right, Luciana. I will try to persuade Ignatia, but I have stern
doubts about the possibility of that. She has very much become
part of the system and it will not be easy at all for her to
say goodbye to this. And above all, the influence of Gailan
is not to be underestimated. He is not only in favour of the
plans; he encourages them. In my opinion he is also planning
to re-elect for the next term."
At
that moment the gong of the midday prayers resonated throughout
the temple. Hastily Docilius bade his farewells and Luciana
made haste to her confidante, Hanani, in order to solicit intersession
for a good conclusion.
Three
months later we find Ignatia, with her son Dylys in their virtual
laboratory. Together with a few assistants they are busy with
the last preparation for their big experiment. After a few failures,
which unfortunately brought about some damage, they were certain
that this time everything would work out just fine, and that
the next step would be field-tests. The real job at last, but
first things first.
Meticulously
all instruments were calibrated and the great screen showed
all green and go. With a characteristically exuberant arm swing,
Dylys activated the generator. Now the energy began to deliver
itself to the powers that would discharge the energy, just until
the critical point. Then all these joint powers would be captured
and hidden within the great global sphere, which they had called
the Ignus. After that it would only be a small step towards
tapping all these bundled and 'caged energies', awaiting to
be used for each end that would be suitable.
Slowly
the sound of the generator cranked up and up and up, until they
could hear it was at full speed and they could give it a start.
Out of each observation station they got the message 'green
and go'; the great screen showed no irregularities.
"We
are there, Dylys, let's start", Ignatia said
"At
last," was the only thing her son could say.
Phytius,
the head engineer, counted. "Five-four-three-two-one-start."
Then at that precise moment he pulled the switch, and an imposing
chain reaction began. A very small portion via warmth-changers
caught energy from Vega roared through the pipes, producing
a lot of noise as if thunder was enhanced a thousand times.
Finally it all ended up in the Ignus, where it revolved and
pulsed almost endlessly.
The
sphere shuddered and winced for a long time on its Durabasalt
pedestal. For more than an hour enormously colored flashes set
the laboratory in a glimmer that looked very much like an aurora
borealis. But at long last everything quieted down. This now
was 'caged energy'; ready to be tapped by means of the designed
energy valves. All the time the indicators stayed in their safe
zone. Now it was time to try the first valve that was directed
towards a huge lamp. It was to be used for the great work at
last.
Again
Phytius counted. "Five-four-three-two-one-start."
Poised, he pulled the switch and all at once the laboratory
was illuminated by a glaring white light; the amplified light
of Vega. The light dissolved the previous rose-red glimmer of
the atmosphere. The shout of joy and merriment of those present
was more than substantial.
"Victory!"
yelled Dylys with an enthusiastic arm swing. "I am going
to inform Gailan immediately. He should be glad."
In
Phila's elevated dwelling the Society of Hidden Powers was assembled
to speak about the current situation. Docilius had the floor.
"…Thus
we must come to the conclusion that the modernists indeed have
transferred their 'Ignus project' from the experimental status
towards that of implementation. This is going to become very
dangerous, because we all know that the so-called caged energies
are eventually capable of detonating the whole planet.
"We
have compared the scientific results with the available data
and it is unbelievable that the modernists do not, or do not
want to see the hazards involved. We have also seen that Gailan
has been re-elected as chairman of the Council of Wise People,
so that it looks like these modernists have considerable support
at their disposal.
"Unfortunately
it has to be admitted that our efforts to supply those Spirits
with more passable and balanced information has failed, and
therefore we now have to decide as to our following strategy.
At all cost we have to prevent the installation of the ignus
in the open field, or worse, activation. The tectonic plates
of our continent are insufficient to resist the forces that
will emerge when, heaven forbid, these 'caged energies' are
not so innocently released as is claimed. Suggestions?"
Suggestions
were bitterly few, and those that were put forward were either
insufficient or not feasible. It appeared that the meeting would
have to be adjourned with nothing achieved. But all of a sudden
young Martellus raced into the great hall where the society
was assembled.
"The
ignus is at this very moment being installed near the sector
woods," he panted. "And they are going to switch it
on tomorrow afternoon!"
"That
is bad news", Phila started. A cacophony of excited sounds
set off at that very moment.
Chairman
Docilius cut that off after a while and when everybody had quieted
down at last he continued: "It is of no use at all to talk
at random in this way. We have to do something, because it looks
like we have been presented with an accomplished fact. Who wants
to speak?"
Glauca,
the adult daughter of Phila, asked for and got the floor.
"Because
of the fact that it seems that we have been running out of time
to consider a good plan, I would suggest something that will
possibly enable us to survive the consequences of the forthcoming
disaster."
Glauca's
words shifted the energy of those present from anticipation
and resignation towards one in which fear was predominant. A
fear for the imminent catastrophe that before long had seemed
to be far-away and abstract, but now began to generate more
and more threatening proportions.
Glauca
continued. "Angelika and I, during the time that we grew
up and were educated at the School of the Infinite Powers of
Vega, have often been trekking through the Holy Hills of Onesiphora,
not so far away from here. At one spot there exists a huge granite
gorge that runs into a large cavern, made of Durabasalt. If
there would happen to be one place safe enough for all of us,
that would be it. I suggest that we try and collect as many
Spirits as possible to show them the way to this place so that
they all will have the best opportunity possible to escape from
this allotted fate. There is plenty of room there and as we
all know, Spirits do not use too much room in the first place.
What do you think?"
Feverishly,
the members of the committee collected as many Spirits as possible
that wished to come to the Gorge of Onesiphora and to await
the potential danger there. It was very clear that they had
been running out of possibilities to fend off the evil. At first
the group of fugitives grew slowly, but on and on it became
apparent that there was a huge crowd on their way towards the
Holy Hills.
When
Docilius arrived at the temple to persuade the priestesses to
come, primarily he only got to see Hanani.
"Luciana is not well", the priestess replied upon
Docilius' questioning.
"Nobody
is feeling well at the moment", he answered gravely.
"It is really imperative that we all go to the gorge, and
possibly even hide in the cavern. We do not really know where
this will lead to, but we should be prepared for the worst."
Hanani
nodded. "I will call her."
While
Docilius waited he heard the multiform floating sound bowls
producing dissonants. The tones seemed very different from what
he had experienced during his earlier visits to the temple.
But the situation itself was not comparable, he recognized.
Somewhere he heard someone giggling nervously. It was Luciana
arriving, who behaved rather differently from what he was wont
from her.
"He,he,he,
you see it now. I told you before. This was due to become a
great disaster. Look down at the chaos below in the city. Everybody
is in havoc and did I not ask you to persuade Ignatia and the
others to change their minds, or that of you and Phila? This
was bound to happen." She clearly had the worst time not
to burst out into laughter.
"I
know Luciana", Docilius sighed. "It is a disaster
and unfortunately we were not able to turn the tides. And you
do know that we tried. But maybe it will not be so bad as we
think, and all our efforts to get everybody into the gorge will
prove to be needless in the end. But you should come, because
if what we are afraid happens, the temple will not be spared."
Luciana
calmed down. "I am sorry Docilius, I forgot myself again
while you were here. We will come, but first we will pray and
ask Source if it would be possible at all to let this fate pass."
The
gorge became fuller and fuller. It was good that Spirits do
not take much room, because otherwise it would have been filled
up to the brink very soon. Angelika and Glauca were at the entrance
and showed the way to the arriving souls. It was not hard to
find. The huge cavern, with its stunning colours, its gems and
semiprecious stones, stalactites and stalagmites, caused crimson
purple-like radiances. The whispering of the meandering brook
that flowed through the hall gave a calming effect. At the end
of the room the access way of the cave was visible, through
which the daylight of Vega could be seen.
At
one point it became clear that everybody who had wanted to come
to the gorge was there, and gradually the vibrations of those
present became more quiet and composed. Luciana had brought
her sound bowls, and their loving sounds blended themselves
with those of the brook that found its way down by way of many
little rapids. Everybody was in anticipation of what was going
to happen.
Time
went by and all of a sudden there was this extraordinary moment,
when Vega found itself exactly on the axis of the gorge. A brilliant
beam of clear white light set the backdrop of the cave in a
splendid luminosity. The magical gleams of the gems scattered
a bouquet of magnificent sparkles that transformed the grotto
into a many-coloured magical place, bringing awe to those present.
After
about a quarter of an hour the magic of the moment disappeared
gradually and they could see that Vega was slowly hidden from
view. The sky became dark and gloomy as an unbelievably subdued
light surrounded those present in the Gorge of Onesiphora. The
vibrations contracted and a dreadful feeling increasingly took
possession of them all. Far away thunder could be heard and
the atmosphere in the cavern became more and more oppressive.
All
of a sudden they understood that it was not thunder that could
be heard. They felt the earth tremble and vibrate, but bit-by-bit
it became quiet again and the Spirits got a little hope again.
Would that be all? The trembling started anew and again they
could hear the thunder. The noise rose to a roar in an apparently
never-ending crescendo. The vibrations in the grotto became
that of the fear of death, and at the ultimate moment there
was a gigantic peal and they saw that the entrance of the cavern
was crumbling down. Great blocks of stone tumbled down as the
cavern continued to collapse. In their fear they observed that
their doorway to freedom was becoming smaller and smaller, and
soon was barricaded totally. They had been buried alive in the
darkness of the cave.
That
happened aeons ago.
"But
in the end the disturbance will fade away and eventually the
unity in the Pond of Oneness will return," the oracle had
said. And today planet Silxtra has been resurrected out of the
ashes like a phoenix and a proud people lives there that calls
themselves Silxtra again and may be recognized as being a subculture
of Altea, those of Atlantis. The members of this fine-looking
race are in possession of a light brown skin and can be described
as mammals with an insect-like appearance. The planet is a member
of the Confederation of Humanoids.
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